Top News:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Negotiations heat up to bring back Weaver — The Cardinals could still use another starting pitcher. — Jeff Weaver could use a team. — What appeared to be a long-shot re-signing as recently as two weeks ago now appears to be the defending World Series champions' final offseason priority.
RELATED:
John Beamer / Hardball Times:
Did the Rocket win St Louis the World Series? — If you read the THT mailbag last Wednesday you probably noticed Anthony Weekley's question asking whether the Astros would have made the postseason had Clemens returned at the start of the season rather than waiting until June 22.
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' skipper deserves better — This was early December, after the gloomy haze of the Mets' playoff loss to the Cardinals had evaporated. The organization was compiling its 2007 to-do list, which included signing Willie Randolph to a multiyear contract extension.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Sox still plan to make a pitch for Rocket — The Red Sox [team stats] arguably will have the strongest starting rotation in the American League heading into spring training, but that will not preclude them from pursuing Roger Clemens one more time. — Owner John W. Henry confirmed …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Dodger Thoughts, Peter's Red Sox Forever, Ben Maller's Sports … and MLB Trade Rumors
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Why not all for Ripken? — Beat reporter Spencer Fordin answers O's fans' questions — Concerning Cal Ripken Jr.'s impressive 98-plus percent vote into the Hall of Fame, why didn't he receive 100 percent of the vote? Who could possibly not vote for Ripken's induction?
RELATED:
CBS SportsLine.com:
Orioles report: Inside pitch — The Sports Xchange — While basking in the limelight of having Cal Ripken elected to the Hall of Fame, the Orioles put their business dealings on hold for a few days. Getting the remaining arbitration-eligible players signed is now the club's top priority.
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Associated Press:
Dodgers slide past arbitration, give Hendrickson one-year deal — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers avoided arbitration with pitcher Mark Hendrickson, agreeing Monday to a one-year contract worth $2,925,000. — Hendrickson, a 32-year-old left-hander …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
WBAL: O's wanted control of shows … The Orioles wanted creative control of all pre- and post-game programming on WBAL Radio (1090 AM), and the station's objection to that was a major reason its 19-year relationship with the club ended, said WBAL vice president and station manager Jeff Beauchamp.
Marc Stein / ESPN:
Pistons win sweepstakes, will sign Webber Tuesday … Chris Webber is going home. — Literally. — Webber told ESPN.com on Monday via e-mail that he has chosen to sign with the Detroit Pistons, which will officially happen Tuesday after he clears waivers at 2 p.m. ET.
Discussion:
I've Made a Huge Tiny Mistake
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Surveying the infield situation — Mets beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions — What do the Mets have planned for Anderson Hernandez in 2007? He could be a reliable, if not spectacular, defensive backup to Jose Valentin. His light hitting is less than ideal coming off the bench.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Nuttings' stake grew bid by bid — Gradual buyout of partners led to control of Pirates — Pirates CEO Kevin McClatchy and chairman of the board Bob Nutting discuss the "change of control" within the Pirates. — The Pirates' ownership is not the most open of operations.
Sal Baxamusa / Hardball Times:
Inside Job (Part 2) — I goofed! In last week's look at the short inside-the-park home runs of 2006, I noted the "standard distance" of home runs rather than the "true distance." According to Hit Tracker, the standard distance is corrected for wind, temperature, and altitude.
NY Daily News:
Big Mac breaks silence on Hall of Fame snub — Mark McGwire had little to say about being left out of Cooperstown in his first public comments since the Hall of Fame announcement. — The former slugger talked briefly to the Cal State Fullerton student newspaper, the Daily Titan …
Discussion:
the metropolitans
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds sign Ross to two-year deal — Catcher avoids arbitration, gains club option through 2009 — CINCINNATI — The Reds and catcher David Ross avoided arbitration Monday when they agreed to a two-year contract through 2008 with a club option for 2009. — Ross is coming off …
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres give two Greenes some green — The Padres' future got Greener yesterday. — Not only did the club avoid arbitration by reaching a one-season contract agreement with shortstop Khalil Greene, the Padres signed catcher Todd Greene to a minor league contract.
